Culture of the Cherry 1833 



the remainder should be removed. The lowest branch should be about 



two feet from the ground, and the other branches should be arranged 



symmetrically around the trunk and several inches apart. This will 



result in a low-headed tree, which will require the least effort in spraying 



and picking. A low-headed tree will also shade the trunk and help to 



prevent sun scald, which is so troublesome, especially on sweet varieties. 



During the second season the main branches should be severely headed 



in so as to obtain a stocky growth, after which the tree will require little 



pruning except for the removal of dead limbs. If the branches grow 



long and slender they should be slightly headed in for the first few years. 



The cherry has a tendency to grow too many intermediate branches. 



If these branches become too thick, the cross limbs should be thinned 



so as to insure good circulation of air and plenty of sunshine. The fruit 



will then mature as well on the inner branches of the tree as on the more 



favored outer branches. 



Tillage and cover-crops 



Tillage of the soil is of as much importance for the cherry as for other 

 fruits. The ground should be plowed very early in spring in order to 

 conserve as much moisture as possible. Spring plowing is especially 

 important if a cover-crop is grown, since a cover-crop that survives the 

 winter will rapidly dry out the soil in the spring. Such soil should be 

 thoroughly worked at regular intervals, or at least whenever the land 

 becomes baked and after heavy rains, until the crop is harvested. The 

 maturing fruit requires an abundance of water; if this is present in suffi- 

 cient quantities it will greatly increase the size of the crop. Tillage is 

 especially necessary during the early life of the cherry orchard, because 

 it insures rapid growth and development. For the first five years the 

 orchard may be intercropped, and for this purpose some low-growing, 

 tilled crop, such as beans, potatoes, tomatoes, or cabbage, should be chosen. 

 If intercrops are grown, sufficient fertilizer should be applied to meet 

 their requirements and also to supply the needs of the young trees. When 

 the soil is too rich, and the trees are making too vigorous growth, they 

 may be checked by seeding down the orchard for one year. 



It is best not to till the cherry orchard after the early part or the middle 

 of July, since tillage may stimulate the growth of the trees for a longer 

 period than is desirable. As a result they may not mature properly, 

 thus becoming liable to winter injury. At the time of the last harrowing 

 a cover-crop should be sown. The kind of cover-crop depends on the 

 character of the land to be seeded. If it is low in fertility, one of the 

 legumes, such as clover or vetch, should be sown, while on soil that con- 

 tains sufficient nitrogen a non-leguminous plant, such as oats, rye, or 

 buckwheat, should be sown. A combination of the two crops is generally 

 most desirable. 



